Ingles in Mills River opening soon; company now hiring

Construction continues Tuesday at the new Ingles grocery store in Mills River.

MIKE DIRKS/TIMES-NEWS

By Leigh KelleyTimes-News Staff Writer

Published: Friday, February 15, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, February 14, 2013 at 6:10 p.m.

MILLS RIVER — An Ingles grocery store being built at the intersection of U.S. 280 and North Mills River Road is approaching the finish line, a company representative said Wednesday.

A sign in front of the store states that the company is hiring.

"We will begin our screening and hiring process in March and hope to open the store in April," Ingles Chief Financial Officer Ron Freeman said. "Actual dates will firm up as we continue the process of completing the construction and equipping the store."

The company broke ground on the 80,000-square-foot store in December 2011.

The town has been working with Ingles to make preparations for the facility. A sewer line that comes up Jeffress Road to the Ingles site was completed in October 2011. The infrastructure was needed in order for the grocery store to commit to the area.

A N.C. Rural Economic Development Center grant of $301,000, in addition to matching funds of $150,000 from Ingles, went toward the sewer line.

In August, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded Energy Star certification to the new store to recognize energy efficiencies included in its construction, company representatives said.

The store was awarded the "Designed to Earn the Energy Star" certification after meeting strict EPA guidelines for the estimated energy use of the building.

The Mills River Ingles will have a meat and produce section, deli/bakery department, pharmacy, floral department, a Starbucks kiosk and a gas station, Freeman said.

The parking lot was recently installed, along with lighting that is angled downward, a design feature Mills River Mayor Roger Snyder appreciates.

"I really like them because they shine down and not up, and it focuses all the light down instead of being spread out," he said. "Bright lighting was originally a concern from nearly residents, but the lights they have up will work nicely."

Freeman added that the company is looking to hire around 200 employees, between full- and part-time positions. Applications are being accepted. To apply, visit www.inglescareers.com and click on the "Apply Now" link.

<p>MILLS RIVER — An Ingles grocery store being built at the intersection of U.S. 280 and North Mills River Road is approaching the finish line, a company representative said Wednesday.</p><p>A sign in front of the store states that the company is hiring. </p><p>"We will begin our screening and hiring process in March and hope to open the store in April," Ingles Chief Financial Officer Ron Freeman said. "Actual dates will firm up as we continue the process of completing the construction and equipping the store."</p><p>The company broke ground on the 80,000-square-foot store in December 2011.</p><p>The town has been working with Ingles to make preparations for the facility. A sewer line that comes up Jeffress Road to the Ingles site was completed in October 2011. The infrastructure was needed in order for the grocery store to commit to the area.</p><p>A N.C. Rural Economic Development Center grant of $301,000, in addition to matching funds of $150,000 from Ingles, went toward the sewer line.</p><p>In August, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded Energy Star certification to the new store to recognize energy efficiencies included in its construction, company representatives said.</p><p>The store was awarded the "Designed to Earn the Energy Star" certification after meeting strict EPA guidelines for the estimated energy use of the building.</p><p>The Mills River Ingles will have a meat and produce section, deli/bakery department, pharmacy, floral department, a Starbucks kiosk and a gas station, Freeman said.</p><p>The parking lot was recently installed, along with lighting that is angled downward, a design feature Mills River Mayor Roger Snyder appreciates. </p><p>"I really like them because they shine down and not up, and it focuses all the light down instead of being spread out," he said. "Bright lighting was originally a concern from nearly residents, but the lights they have up will work nicely." </p><p>Freeman added that the company is looking to hire around 200 employees, between full- and part-time positions. Applications are being accepted. To apply, visit www.inglescareers.com and click on the "Apply Now" link.</p><p>Reach Kelley at 828-694-7871 or leigh.kelley@blueridgenow.com.</p>